Bird's Eye View: Air Force Ball kicks off tonight

  • Published
  • By Col. Bryan J. Gallagher
  • 95th Air Base Wing commander
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Air Force Ball tonight is an opportunity for the Team Edwards community to come together and celebrate the heritage and the historical achievements of the world's greatest Air Force as it surpasses its 60th year as a separate service. 

Through donations, fundraisers, and the assistance of many on- and off-base organizations, we were able to turn several months of planning into what should be an unforgettable evening for all those in attendance. 

Many faces from the Air Force Flight Test Center's past will be attending. On top of that, we've lined up an incredible evening of musical entertainment including Five for Fighting and Mylin. All of the performers have been incredibly gracious to come out here and put on a great show to help us celebrate the Air Force's 60th anniversary.

The social hour begins at 5 p.m. in hangar 1600, and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
I hope to see many of you there.

AFRC provides services to all of Team Edwards

The Airman and Family Readiness Center provides human services programs to support the personal and professional growth and development of Edwards' personnel and their families. However, you do not have to be married or have a family to use the AFRC. The word "family" refers to Air Force family, which means all of these programs and services are open to every member of Team Edwards, including contractors. 

One of the programs offered by the AFRC is the Employee Assistance Program. It was established to give civilian employees the necessary resources on how to deal with life's difficulties. The EAP services are free and confidential within the limits of the law. If additional resources are needed, the EAP counselor will help people find affordable care. 

Other programs the AFRC has been focusing on include the Air Expeditionary Force Family Fairs, Operation KUDOS, Bundles for Babies and Transition Assistance. These programs are only a fraction of the good work the center does for the people of Team Edwards. 

To learn more about any programs offered at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, call 277-0723.

"Fit to fight" gains new importance in evaluations 

Not too long ago, I briefly discussed how the 95th Air Base Wing was planning on shifting physical fitness tests to two months out of the year -- October and March. This will allow everyone on the base to test when it's neither too hot or too cold. It will also reduce the burden on our physical fitness leaders. 

With the change in the testing cycle comes another change -- the new evaluation forms. The new forms are shedding new light on the importance of getting and staying in shape. For instance, if you haven't passed your fitness test, the fitness block is marked "does not meet requirements," and the entire evaluation becomes a referral report. This negative report could eventually end an otherwise promising Air Force career.
 
The bottom-line is clear: fitness is mandatory. We've had five years to get ready and to use the three duty hours allotted per week for fitness and to use it wisely. If you are struggling, contact the Health and Wellness Center to re-evaluate your personal fitness plan and to make the changes needed to pass the fitness test. Do it today, and get back on the road to personal readiness. 

Keep up the fire!